Rudder



E. F. WEES RUDDER April 3, 1928. 1,664,957

Filed Dec. 8. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Apr. 3,

UNITED STATES "PATENT s ELIJAH FLEET WEES, OF KENOVA, WEST VIRGINIA.

RUDDER.

This invention relates to the steering of boats and more particularly to the type de signed for towing, whereby their steering capacity is increased, by the provision of a rudder presenting a. large water engaging surface and including an auxiliary blade which, when lowered, increases the depth and extent of surface of the rudder, said blade being adjustable vertically to enable the rudder to clear sand bars and the beds of shallow bodies of water.

The invention provides an adjustable rud der embodying main and auxiliary blades combined in a novel manner and actuating means mounted upon and associated with the rudder members or blades to admit of the depth of the rudder being varied or adjusted as occasion may require.

l Vhile the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the stern portion of a boat provided with an adjustable rudder embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, having the main blade or member of the rudder and the rudder post in section.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the rudder, on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 4. 4 of Figure 1, looking rearward,

as designated by the arrows, and showing means for utihzing steam or other fluid mes dium for operating the ad ustable blade or member of the rudder.

F lgure 5 1s a detail sectional view show ing means for operating the adjustable rudder member or blade electrically.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates the hull of a boat and the numeral 2 the stern post to which the rudder is pivotally connected in any usual or preferred way. The rudder illustrated is of the balanced type, that is, the rudder post 3 is disposed intermediatethe front and rear ends of the rudder to equalize the stresses. The main member or blade 4 of the rudder is hollow and open at its bottom to receive the auxiliary or adjust=- able member or blade 5, which is provided at its lower or bottom edge with a shoe 6 which projects laterally from opposite sides of the rudder. The blade 5 has a snug fit within the blade or member at, as indicated most clearly in Figures 2 ands of the drawings. Vertical slots 7 formed in opposite end portions of the auxiliary blade 5, receive pins 8 supported at their ends in the side walls of the main blade or member 4. The pin and slot connections limit the downward movement of the auxiliary blade andsustain the major portion of the longitudinal stresses, as indicated most clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings. The lower portion ofa side wall of the main member or blade 9 the closed ends of the post 3 and receives an open coil spring 12 which is confined between the upper closed end of the post and a stop provided on the stem 11. The spring 12 acts jointly with the weight of the blade 5 to normally hold it projected. A piston 14: is fast upon the stem 11 and operates within the post 3 and constitutes an abutment for the lower end of the spring 12.

A cylinder 20 is mounted upon the boiler deck or other convenient part of the boat in line with the hollow post 3 and receives a piston 21 which is fast to the upper end of the stem 11 passing upwardly into the cylinder through the lower end tl'IGIGOf. Pipes 22 and 23 connect opposite ends of the cylinder 20 with a four way valve 24 conveniently positioned and connected to a boiler or compressed air tank by means of a'pipe25. A fluid medium, such as steam or compressed air, when admitted into the lower end of the cylinderlO below the piston 21 operates to move said piston upwardly within the cylinder and to elevatethe auxiliary blade or member 5, thereby reducing the draft of the rudder so that it may pass over shallow places withoutinjury thereto. The

tour-way valve 2a may be of any approved construction and when turned to one-posh tion, admits steam loracompressed airuinto the lower end of the cylinder to elevate the auxiliary blade 5 in: the manner indicated.

through and when said solenoid is energized by the passage otacurrent Dill electricity therethrough, the stem 11 is attracted, as indicated in said figure, thereby eli'eeting a vertical movement of the auxiliary ,blade and a withdrawal thereol within the main blade l. StopslS, projecting from opposite sides of the rudder, areadapted toengage the sides of the hull land limitthe swing 1 ot the rudder 1n each'direction, 1SSl1OW11 connected with the rudder post as a tiller .19

means for operating the rudder. However, it is tobe understood that the rudder may be operated in any usual ,way generally practiced in the steering of water craft.

The lower corners of the blade 5 are rounded to preventcatching trash and to ride over obstructions that may come incontact therewith. Curved straps 26 are located upon opposite sides ot the curved ends of the blade 5 and are pivotedzat their upper outer ends to the blade 4, at 27, and are formed with longitudinal Islets-28 through which headed tastenings 29 pass to eonnect them to the shoe 6. These straps 26 constitutefenders and the arrangement is such as to-admit of a pivotalmoveinent as the blade S is elevated and lowered.

-Having thus described the invention,

wvhat I clainris:

1. A rudder compris ng a main hollow .member open at its bottom, an auxiliary member havingasnug fitjwithin the ma-in member and movable therein through the bottom, a hollow rudder post extending up wardly from the main member, a stem connected to the auxiliary member;andpassing through the hollow post, and anjopen coil spring mountedupon the stem and housed Within the upper portion of the post and con lined between the upper end of said post and a stop carriedby the stemandopei-ating to normally hold the auxiliary member projected.

2. A ruddercomprising aunain hollow member open at its bottom, an auxiliary member having a snugfit within .the main member and movable therein through the bottom, a hollow rudder post extending upwardly from t-heinain membena stein connected spring mounted upon the stem .andflhoused to the auxiliary member and passing through the hollow post, and anop-en coil within the upper port-ion of. the post and confined between the upper .end of said post and a stop carried theste n and opera mg tonormally hold the auzrlhary member projected, and means associatedwith [the said postand stem to effect. vertical .ad ust- .ment of the auxiliary .meinber to decrease the draft ot-the rudder'to enable it to clear in shallow water.

In testimony whereof l, alfix iny signature. ELIJAH FLEET FEES. 1;[L. s,] 

